Create a Pond Garden
Start By Learning the Basics of Water Gardening With Plants and Fish
Sep 19, 2008
Water gardening begins by considering how to create a healthy environment for plants and wildlife in a pond. The basics start by finding a balance with size of the pond, depth of water and light conditions.
Garden Pond Conditions
Pond size is an important determination. The size will dictate how many plants and what kind and whether to have fish, what type and how many. The deeper the pond the cooler the water in summer, the healthier the fish will stay. In winter, the deeper water will provide unfrozen space for fish to survive.
Location of the pond will determine light conditions. These can be changed slightly by adding trees or shrubs or clearing some away. However, in some yards there may be only one place to put a pond.
Observing light conditions will help determine the correct plants and which chemicals and the amount to use. Sunnier ponds allow more plant choices and a better selection of flowering plants. But sunnier ponds have more issues with algae. Shadier ponds have fewer algae problems but are restricted by the types of plants available.
Installing a quality filter helps maintain the balance. A good filter helps circulate water, therefore increasing oxygen. A waterfall in a pond aids in oxygen exchange, as well.
Algae are common problems in a pond. But a pond should be emptied only once per season, preferably in the spring. Emptying a pond more often will not eliminate algae issues.
Water Garden Plants
Choosing the correct plants for a pond is very important. The water hyacinths have lavender colored blooms. Water hyacinth, parrot’s feather, sensitive plant and water lettuce are called floating pond plants because they are not planted in pots, then set in the water. Floating pond plants remove nutrients from the water, thereby acting as algae cleaner. They also provide a place for fish to hide from the hot sun.
Water lilies are also valuable plants for water gardens. Their large leaves help shade the water’s surface, keeping the pond cool.
A new plant for water gardens is the Red Bog Lily. The lance shaped burgundy colored foliage has spidery looking and very dramatic summer blooms. Although it is a zone 8 – 11 plant, it can be taken in as a houseplant over winter. Kept in moist soil it will be ready for replanting the following summer. This plant likes full to part sun in the pond.
Barley straw is known as a useful tool for controlling algae. Now it has been made into containers for ponds. It looks great floating in ponds, plants draping over the container’s side, meanwhile helping to maintain the pond’s balance.
Koi Fish for Ponds
Wildlife, like frogs and dragonflies, will visit a healthy pond on their own and benefit a water garden. Gardeners can add fish, as well.
Goldfish and Koi add beauty and movement to a pond. Some types of Koi grow very large and are expensive. Gardeners can make informed purchases by understanding the types of Koi and determining ones best for a particular pond.
Reliable resources on pond gardening are Water Gardening in Containers by Helen Nash and C. Greg Speichart and the Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants. Information written by Perry D. Slocum is another valuable references on water lily and lotus plants.
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